We love cars here at BMWBLOG and I’m sure you love cars too, judging by your reading of this. However, one sad fact of car ownership is that cars are probably one of the worst investments a person can make. Most cars depreciate faster than Ariana Grande’s reputation. But there are some that actually appreciate. These cars are future classics, cars that you buy now because in a couple of years, they will be worth a lot more.
Figuring out which cars will become future classics isn’t all that easy. It depends on a lot of factors. The car’s successor, its racing heritage, the number of units produced and popularity are all things than can factor into whether or not a car appreciates. A couple of BMWs have become classics and are set to become even more valuable.
According to Ebay Motors, two BMWs will become future classics. While one of them is already considered a classic, Ebay Motors feels that it will become even more valuable in the coming years. The other is a car that only recently stopped production and is already worth more than it was brand new. Those two cars are the E30 M3 and the BMW 1M.
The E30 M3 has already reached cult status. It’s one of the most revered sports cars of all time. The E30 M3 was built in limited numbers, for homologation purposes so BMW could go racing and it turned out to be one of the best road cars BMW ever made. It’s also reached near ridiculous prices for a even a decent example of one. However, due to its iconic status and increasing rarity, it should only go up in value. Now isn’t the best time to buy in its history, but it’s best to buy it now than wait any longer, as its price will only go up from here.
The 1 Series M Coupe (1M) is a bit of a Frankenstein. Built using some 1 Series parts and some M3 parts, it almost seemed like an afterthought by BMW and was built in very limited numbers. But it turned out to be one of the best BMWs of this decade. It’s fast, fun and only comes with a manual. It’s soon reaching cult status as well, as it was truly a transcendent BMW. The value of the 1 Series M has already gone up in value since its release, but if figures to only go up even further. Now is the time to buy if you can even find one.
If you don’t already have one of these cars, you’re going to have to pay far more than original MSRP to get one. And if collecting BMWs for the future is something you’d like to get into, but don’t want to spend money on one that’s already appreciated, there might still be some options for you.
The E92 M3 is a car that can be had for anywhere between $30,000 and $60,000 at the moment, depending on quality, but it’s certain to go up in value over the coming years. It’s the only M3 to ever come with a V8, which is something that will never happen again, it’s the last M3 coupe, as the new one has been renamed the M4, and it’s also the last naturally aspirated M3. There’s a lot working for the E92 to become a future classic, especially given how people adore the high-revving screamer of a V8 that comes with it.
The E60 M5 is also something that could be worth a bunch in the future, and for much of the same reasons as the E92 M3. The engine that powered the E60 M5 was a mighty 5.0 liter V10. It’s the only BMW road car to feature a V10 and it’s the last naturally aspirated M5. A V10 that can rev high and scream loud in a family sedan is something that captures the hearts of all car enthusiasts, regardless of preferred brand. Plus it can be found with a manual transmission, something that may not make it to the upcoming M5. Despite its many flaws, the rose-colored glasses of nostalgia will keep people remembering only its incredible performance and mighty V10 character. Rest assured, people will pay top dollar for a manual E60 M5 in the future and they can be had for decent money right now.
I’m also going to throw a curve ball out there. The i3. The i3 is the first CFRP extensive EV BMW has ever produced, actually the world for that matter, and is the first production car from the i Division. The i3 marks a turning point for the brand. And even though it isn’t particularly exciting or good looking, neither is the BMW Isetta and look how that turned out. Plus its carbon fiber extensive structure and plastic body panels means it won’t rust, so they will always look good. Sure there’s the issue of electric motors and batteries not lasting too long, but while they do, the i3 should be a car that is sought after in the future.
So, if you’re into the business of buying cars for their appreciation, you can either buy cars that are already on the upswing, like the E30 M3 and 1 Series M, or you can buy cars that will likely appreciate in the future and cash in, like the E60 M5 and E92 M3. Either way, you’ll have a great BMW that will be worth more than what you pay for it in the future.
